Nicandra is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family containing the single species Nicandra physaloides. It is a poisonous foul-smelling annual native to Peru, and it is known elsewhere as an introduced species and sometimes a weed. It is also kept as an ornamental plant.In New Zealand, it is found as a weed in waste places and arable land.Plants grow to 1 metre tall and are vigorous with spreading branches and ovate, mid-green, toothed and waved leaves. The flowers are bell-shaped and 5 centimetres or more across. They can be lavender white or blue with white throats. The flower becomes lantern-like towards the end of its bloom. It has brown berries (1-2 cm) in a five-sided net-veined fruit capsule, similar to a Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana). The plant is thought to have insect repellent properties. The genus is named for Greek poet Nicander, who wrote about plants.